as in criminal
not restrained by or under the control of legal authority
some sociologists specialize in studying the lawbreaking elements of society
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in crime
a breaking of a moral or legal code
even something as simple as littering is considered an example of lawbreaking
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in criminality
activities that are in violation of the laws of the state
an outbreak of lawbreaking plagued the city in the months following the end of the war
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of lawbreaking
Karie Angell Luc, Chicago Tribune, 5 June 2026
In an effort to send a message to any minors planning to descend on the Jersey Shore for a weekend of lawbreaking and recklessness, Vaz is vowing to prosecute both the offending child and their parents.
—Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 22 May 2026
These criminal employers profit from lawbreaking.
—CBS News, 24 Apr. 2026
The sponsor of the employer crime bill said that lawbreaking was wrong and the bill is constitutional.
—Idaho Statesman, 20 Mar. 2026
Barack Obama pledged to look forward and not backwards, not only closing the door on prosecutions for executive lawbreaking but also failing to hold accountable those responsible for the 2008 financial crisis and the ensuing Great Recession.
—Adam Serwer, The Atlantic, 26 Feb. 2026
While the governor’s benevolent instincts are laudable, leniency here would only invite more lawbreaking, and ultimately, more suffering — in Colorado and beyond.
—Max Potter, Denver Post, 15 Jan. 2026
But Bondi demanding compliance before any lawbreaking by protesters is the same thing for which her own FBI is investigating six members of Congress who called on our military not to obey unlawful orders.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 8 Jan. 2026
Rather than portraying Cracolândia’s inhabitants as violent, lawbreaking addicts, Som da Maloka captures their artistry as singers, musicians, and poets, with Escobar putting their talents on full display through local carnival parades organized by his Blocolândia initiative.
—Michaëla De Lacaze Mohrmann, Artforum, 1 Jan. 2026
Noun
Both Goss and DeVries agreed senior citizens should notify police if residents have been victims of scams or have concerns before moving ahead with possible lawbreaking schemes.
—Karie Angell Luc, Chicago Tribune, 5 June 2026
In an effort to send a message to any minors planning to descend on the Jersey Shore for a weekend of lawbreaking and recklessness, Vaz is vowing to prosecute both the offending child and their parents.
—Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 22 May 2026
These criminal employers profit from lawbreaking.
—CBS News, 24 Apr. 2026
The sponsor of the employer crime bill said that lawbreaking was wrong and the bill is constitutional.
—Idaho Statesman, 20 Mar. 2026
Barack Obama pledged to look forward and not backwards, not only closing the door on prosecutions for executive lawbreaking but also failing to hold accountable those responsible for the 2008 financial crisis and the ensuing Great Recession.
—Adam Serwer, The Atlantic, 26 Feb. 2026
While the governor’s benevolent instincts are laudable, leniency here would only invite more lawbreaking, and ultimately, more suffering — in Colorado and beyond.
—Max Potter, Denver Post, 15 Jan. 2026
But Bondi demanding compliance before any lawbreaking by protesters is the same thing for which her own FBI is investigating six members of Congress who called on our military not to obey unlawful orders.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 8 Jan. 2026
Rather than portraying Cracolândia’s inhabitants as violent, lawbreaking addicts, Som da Maloka captures their artistry as singers, musicians, and poets, with Escobar putting their talents on full display through local carnival parades organized by his Blocolândia initiative.
—Michaëla De Lacaze Mohrmann, Artforum, 1 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lawbreaking
Adjective
-
Chesnut said El Mencho, raised in the deeply Catholic Mexican state of Michoacan, echoes other criminal actors who’ve balanced villainy and veneration, bypassing traditional religious frameworks to absolve ― or even justify ― the deeds that reap their daily bread.—
Marc Ramirez,
USA Today,
7 June 2026
-
With nothing holding her down but a dead-end job and an aging dad, a small-town Texan girl is swiftly bedazzled by a smooth criminal drifter, and hops into his car to pursue a life less ordinary.—
Guy Lodge,
Variety,
7 June 2026
Noun
-
Abouammo asked the federal court to toss the charge, arguing it could only be filed in a federal court in Washington state, where the alleged crime occurred.—
Jack Birle,
The Washington Examiner,
11 June 2026
-
The only crime Henry Bemis (Burgess Meredith) committed was having a desire to read his books in peace in a world that tried to stifle his true self.—
Josh Weiss,
Forbes.com,
11 June 2026
Noun
-
Police said there was no criminality associated with Hooper’s disappearance.—
Brian Niemietz,
New York Daily News,
2 June 2026
-
The agency is on the clock with its investigations, mandated by the state to complete accident investigations within six months, and, sources said, delays affect its ability to assess fines and determine criminality, and may have harmed families ability to receive restitution.—
Joe Rubin,
Sacbee.com,
6 May 2026
Adjective
-
Louisville police say anything that goes into the air or explodes is illegal for average citizens.—
James Bruggers,
The Courier-Journal,
5 July 2017
-
Official fireworks shows took place over the city, and illegal pyrotechnics lit up the sky everywhere in between.—
Lisa Beebe,
Los Angeles Magazine,
5 July 2017
Noun
-
Here are the inspection scores and violations for restaurants within the city limits of Plano for May 31st - June 6th, 2026.—
Lillie Davidson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
12 June 2026
-
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi condemned the American attacks as a violation of Iranian sovereignty.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
11 June 2026
Adjective
-
As a whole, the return of the Ninja 300 feels almost rebellious in today's motorcycle market.—
Utkarsh Sood
June 13,
New Atlas,
13 June 2026
-
Difficult teenage years with lots of poor decisions and rebellious behavior.—
Eric Thomas,
Sun Sentinel,
11 June 2026
Noun
-
The cult wants to live off the land and not rely on any technology in the apocalypse, and believes the Cordyceps brain infection was a punishment from God for the world’s sins.—
Paul Tassi,
Forbes.com,
12 June 2026
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This lifelong Black Catholic bears no illusions about the sins of my church.—
Laura Washington,
Mercury News,
9 June 2026
Adjective
-
The store was run by Sam Yuen, head of one of Los Angeles’ tongs, which were secret societies made up of men from China who often dabbled in illicit activities.—
Emily St. Martin,
Los Angeles Times,
11 June 2026
-
The phenomenon of illicit mining in Johannesburg and surrounding areas was one of the concerns that prompted the government in March to deploy the army to certain high-risk areas in a yearlong operation to stop violence linked to organized crime.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
10 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Lawbreaking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lawbreaking. Accessed 15 Jun. 2026.
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